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Handbook Editor-in-Chief | Ella MacCormack Creative Director | Brennan Karunaratne Varsity Editor-in-chief | Junia Alsinawi Senior Copy Editor | Raina Proulx-Sanyal Deputy Senior Copy Editor | Cate Woodhead Arts & Culture Editor | Bushra Boblai Arts & Culture Associate | Juliet Pieters Business & Labour Editor | Audrey Kim Science Editor | Lauren Robinson Opinion Editor | Zaneb Asad Features Associate | Alec Zelek News Editor | Celesta Maniatogianni Deputy News Editor | Arunveer Sidhu Assistant News Editor | Prekshaa Surana Sports Editor | Taimoore Yousaf Design Editors | Simona Agostino, Loise Yaneza Managing Editor, Internal | Sophia Moniz Managing Editor, External | Callie Zhang Managing Editor, Online | Aksaamai Ormonbekova Contributors | Hunter Derr-Braun, Harbanee Kaur, Laiba Malik, Anu Nagendran, Julianne Wisner Copy Editors | Roya Alisultanova, Lakshmi Gokul, Harbanee Kaur, Taqwaa Kazi, Zainab Khalil, Madiha Syed, Elena Zjalic Web Developers | Sataphon Obra, Emily Shen Illustration Editor | Chloe Weston Illustrators | Gabriella Castillo, Isio Emakpor, Amy Huang, Dowon Kim, Eemaan Nawabi, Parwin Rafie, Jacqueline Renee Photo Editor | Erika Ozols Photographers | Maria Alampay, Lobamithira Ratnesh Cover Photography | Chloe Weston

CHECK OUT THE QR CODE ON THE BACK INTERACTIVE MAPS AWAIT

The bottom of the bill What the non-academic fees on your ACORN invoice pay for Writer | Harbanee Kaur Illustration | Jacqueline Renee Every September, U of T students open ACORN, find a number they were more or less expecting, grit their teeth and pay it. The single largest charge in their tuition is the program fee: the cost of the degree itself. For a full-time Ontarioresiding student at University College (UC) last year, it was $6,100. International students in the same program were billed $63,570, over 10 times as much. Program fees are straightforward enough, but what about the stack of additional fees below that can add up to thousands of dollars? Although the exact numbers may change each year, here are what the main line items mean. Incidental fees Below the program fee are non-academic incidental fees, which run around $2,000 for the fall-winter session at UTSG. These cover the infrastructure of campus life. The largest charges at $229.86 per term include Kinesiology and Physical Education Co-Curricular Programs, Services & Facilities which is how the university bills students for gyms, intramurals, and fitness facilities. Health & Counselling ($100.64) funds medical and mental health services at Health & Wellness. Student Life Programs & Services ($120.21) covers career centres and advising offices. The Hart House fee ($141.35) goes towards the gym, theatre, art studio, and debate hall on King’s College Circle. UTM and UTSC follow the same structure with different numbers, collecting $1,283.32 and $971 a year respectively. UTM’s fee also covers the shuttle bus between UTM and

UTSG. All students also pay a system access fee ($60.50 per term), which covers access to ACORN and its system maintenance. International students are also billed for the University Health Insurance Plan, which cost $792 in the fall/ winter semesters of 2025–2026. Student society fees You are paying for some kind of student union, likely multiple, regardless of your campus, faculty, or program affiliations. UTM students pay fees to the UTM Students’ Union ($500.80 per term). UTSC students pay fees to the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union ($568.73 per term).

If you are a full time student at UTSG, there is the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) fee for $697.48 per academic year. A large part of that goes toward insurance. The health plan costs $284.82 and provides extended medical coverage, including prescription drugs and vision care. The dental plan charges $238.08, covering checkups, cleanings, and basic procedures. The rest funds UTSU operations and levies collected for independent service groups, such as Downtown Legal Services, the Sexual Education and Peer Counselling Centre, and the Student Refugee Program, among others. In an interview with The Varsity, Johnny Dong, UTSU Vice-President

Handbook 2026

(VP) of Professional Faculties, said that the UTSU collects these fees on behalf of these groups but “all the money goes directly to these groups.” Dong explained, “None of these organizations are able to function and survive [without these fees].” The executives pointed to services students may not know they have already paid for. Food programs, such as Regenesis and Radical Roots, are available to students facing food insecurity, they noted. Bikechain, UTSU President Marie Kinderman added, offers free drop-in bicycle repairs. Some UTSU charges are refundable. Students can file a levy fee opt-out form on the UTSU website each semester to recover fees for some service groups and the health and dental plans with proof of existing coverage. However,

fees tied to UTSU operations and the Student Commons are mandatory. “We do good work here,” said Tony Guo, VP of Finance and Operations. “We’d like to continue doing that.” If you are a part-time student, you pay $203.20 per semester to the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS). If you are at UTSG campus, you are either a member of the UTSU or APUS, and pay fees to one or the other. UTM and UTSC part-time students pay a decreased student union fee as well as the full APUS fee. Students at the Faculty of Arts & Science pay $11.41 each semester towards the Arts & Science Students’ Union. UTSG undergraduate professional divisions like engineering and music also have their own societies and student unions to represent them, charging semester fees ranging

from $15 to $300. If you are living in a residence, there will likely be a residence council fee as well, ranging from a semester fee of $7.50 at UC to $30.57 at Innis. Campus media Campus media levies add a few smaller charges for outlets such as CIUT 89.5 FM, Radio FWD, and CFRE 91.9 FM. Campus student newspapers, including The Medium, The Underground, and us at The Varsity also rely on student levies to continue printing. College fees The federated colleges add their own layer of compulsory fees for their students. In 2025–2026, St. Michael’s students paid a college fee ($334.92) and a capital & special

projects levy ($40), which pays for long term college projects. Trinity students paid a college fee of $411.36. Victoria College’s student services fee ($268.42) funds college level advising and programming, while the commuter fee ($41.16) and student centre fee ($200) pay for the spaces where Vic students study, meet, or attend events. College student governments also charge fees ranging from $7.50 to $53.50 a term, which go towards funding clubs and various student life activities at the college level. Some first years will see an extra charge for orientation: $250 at both St. Mikes and Trinity, $125 at Victoria, and $70 at Innis. Colleges without an orientation fee often sell tickets to attend frosh instead, like New College and UC. 2026

FACING THE 50 PER CENT

Facing the 50 per cent What to expect when reporting sexual assault at U of T and who to turn to for help Aksaamai Ormonbekova | Writer Gabriella Castillo | Illustration

Content warning: this article contains mentions of sexual violence. Being a student at U of T has never compromised my safety, but I also know that is not the reality for everyone on campus. Right now, U of T is in what is called the “red zone,” the time between midAugust and November during which 50 per cent of all campus sexual violence incidents occur, especially for new students. If you do experience violence, know that it is not your fault. U of T has a particular process for reporting sexual violence between students, so here is a guide on what to expect. You are not alone. Reporting process at U of T U of T has a tri-campus Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre available to the community for counselling, awareness, reporting, and academic accommodation. The centre is open on weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and hosts various information sessions each month, for which any member of the community can register. The Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, first introduced in 2017, is what structures U of T’s response to sexual violence. There are a few key language differences in the policy to be aware of. For one, there is a distinction between “disclosing” and “reporting” sexual violence — only “reporting” will initiate an investigatory process by the university. U of T also exclusively uses the terms “complainant” and “respondent.” To make a report on a sexual assault incident, you can consult the centre’s reporting page for an in-depth explanation of how to report and book a same-day appointment. If requested, a centre staff member can file the report on your behalf. In most cases, your report will not be shared with the police without your explicit permission unless the university is required to report by law, such as when there is an imminent risk of harm. If you cannot recall all the details of an incident, including who, where, or when, you can still make a report. The Office of Safety and High Risk assesses whether a report should continue to an investigation. At this stage, your identity and some details of the report will be shared with the respondent. The office can 4

provide interim safety measures, such as changing schedules or preventing communication between parties. The university then appoints an investigator to conduct interviews and collect evidence. If an investigation escalates to an adjudicative hearing, the university argues on your behalf that the respondent violated the Code of Student Conduct. The respondent is given the entire investigation file, and you will likely be called upon by the university to give your account during the hearing. The hearing is controlled by the Hearing Officer, who is responsible for decisionmaking and recommendations to the university. They will make their decision, including recommendations or disciplinary sanctions, based on a balance of probabilities of what occurred, not beyond a reasonable doubt. Only the respondent can appeal the hearing’s decision. Instead of a hearing, you and the respondent can decide to mutually agree to a non-adjudicative outcome at any time, including before, during, or after an investigation. With a facilitator, you and the respondent would negotiate the terms and conditions of the resolution instead of an official hearing. The terms cannot include any disciplinary sanctions like expulsion or suspension for the respondent. Student-led resources The student-funded Sexual Education Centre provides resources, such as contact information for helplines, health and legal aid clinics, and links to spaces around Toronto that specialize in addressing sexual assault. This centre is volunteerrun, and offers peer support in room 326 of

230 College St., or can be reached at 416946-5041. There is also the PEARS Project, which is a “grassroots, trauma-informed coalition” providing support specifically to sexual assault survivors at U of T. PEARS stands in opposition to many of the university’s policies on sexual violence, and aims to combat campus rape culture at the student level through its community and resource network by and for survivors. On your terms It is important to remember in this entire process that it is always up to you the manner and form in which you want to report an incident, should one occur. You are not obligated, nor should you feel pressured, to recall your experience if it is painful to talk about. These experiences can make you feel incredibly vulnerable and should only be shared when and where you feel comfortable. No one should feel pressured to report or not to report because the experience is nobody else’s but theirs. Ultimately, the choice to report and the conditions on which you report are completely yours. With files from Ella MacCormack. Where to find sexual violence and harassment support at U of T A list of safety resources is available at safety.utoronto.ca. The tri-campus Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre’s website is www.svpscentre.utoronto.ca. Individuals can visit the centre’s website for more information, contact details, and hours of operation. Centre staff can be reached by phone at 416978-2266.

Handbook 2026

Locations: UTSG: Gerstein Library, suite B139

Scarborough Health Network: Centenary (416-284-8131)

UTM: Davis Building, room 3094G and 3093F

Scarborough Health Network: General (416-438-2911)

UTSC: Environmental Chemistry Building, EV141

Assaulted Women’s Helpline (1-866-863-0511)

Science

and

Those who have experienced sexual violence can also call Campus Police to make a report at 416-978-2222 (UTSG and UTSC) or 905-569-4333 (UTM). After-hours support is also available at: Women’s College Hospital Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre (416-323-6040) Scarborough Health Network: Birchmount (416-495-2400)

Where to find the closest place to obtain an abortion Closest to UTSG: Bay Centre (Women’s College Hospital) 76 Grenville St, third floor 416-351-3700, womenscollegehospital.ca Manual Procedural: up to eight weeks gestational age (GA) Medication: up to 10 weeks GA Procedural in hospital: up to 24 weeks and six days GA No admin fees

The café scene in (mostly) downtown Toronto My honest reviews

Writer | Laiba Malik Photography | Brennan Karunaratne & Chloe Weston Illustration | Dowon Kim What I was most excited about when moving to Toronto was the downtown café scene. Coming from a suburban city severely lacking coffee culture, I wanted to try all of the drinks popularized on social media. This article reviews some of those drinks and cafés, which may (hopefully) serve as a guide to you during your first year!

Le Génie Bakery & Espresso 382 Yonge Street Located in College Park, this café offers both indoor and outdoor patio seating. The interior was clean with dim warm lighting, patterned seating, and large glass windows allowing sufficient lighting. My friend and I visited in the morning to study, when the café had just opened, and customers were just starting to come in. I noticed that since there was so much seating, it was difficult to get around the café. I ended up ordering the iced London fog, which cost around $8–$9 and tasted like straight milk that someone steeped a tea bag in for less than 10 seconds. ★☆☆☆☆

Forget Me Not Coffee 102 Ossington Avenue Forget Me Not Coffee has lately been getting a lot of attention on social media. My friend’s colleague suggested the dalgona latte was “to die for.” Obviously, we had to go. We took the streetcar over to Ossington Avenue after work and walked just another seven minutes from our stop to the café. While the unit itself was pretty small, it was packed with customers. I ordered the viral iced banana bread matcha latte with oat milk, which was $9.27, while my friend got the (also viral) iced dalgona latte for around $7. The atmosphere was cozy, with warm lighting, comfortable seatving, and an industrial style interior, giving the space an inviting feel. Given the café’s small size, seating inside was limited, so we ended up sitting out on the patio. Now, for my honest review… my banana bread matcha latte did not at all taste like banana bread. Instead of the mild sweet flavour you’d expect, it tasted more like a regular iced matcha with sweetener with no hint of banana. The drink itself did taste

Closest to UTM: Mississauga Women’s Clinic 101 Queensway W Unit 401 905-629-4516, mwclinic.com Medication: up to nine weeks GA Procedural: up to 18 weeks GA Admin fees: $70 Closest to UTSC: East End Women’s Clinic 520 Ellesmere Rd. Suite B14 416-901-3278, eastendwomensclinic.com Medication: up to 10 weeks GA Admin fee: $60

good, but unfortunately, it did not meet my $9.27 standards. My friend’s dalgona latte was very bitter since Forget Me Not didn’t add sweetener to the drink itself; instead, they intended for the dalgona and sweet cream on top to melt into the latte and sweeten it. While this did eventually happen, it still didn’t satisfy my friend’s sweet tooth. I think the drinks at Forget Me Not are overpriced, but the space might make up for that to you and your entourage. The café boasts many other interesting drinks for you to try, but taste is extremely subjective. Despite all the hype social media gives certain drinks, I can’t guarantee they’re worth the long trip and steep price. Additionally, this café is not a place for productive studying, as there is limited indoor seating, and it can get quite busy during the day. Forget Me Not sells you an experience rather than the great taste of a drink. ★★☆☆☆

Project Seoul 355 Spadina Avenue My friend and I visited this café on a late afternoon in April. I ordered an iced latte with oat milk while she ordered the iced toffee caramel latte, with both drinks ringing up between $7–$9. The lattes tasted good enough for my friend — who isn’t a coffee drinker — to surprise me with a positive review. Project Seoul is located on the second floor of an old building on Spadina with a 2026

THE CAFÉ SCENE IN (MOSTLY) DOWNTOWN TORONTO

minimalistic, aesthetically pleasing interior, with furniture that keeps to a white, oak, and sage palette. The café offers reasonable seating, but not enough for us to find a proper table in peak hours during exam season. ★★★☆☆

foam. The latte was slightly sweet, and though I did not taste the cream cheese, I found it decent. Considering its location, this café is worth trying out and would be a great place to grab a quick drink before class or to quickly study. ★★★★☆

Second Cup 55 St. George Street (in Myhal Centre) Since I had most of my classes in Myhal during my first year, Second Cup became a convenient spot to visit in between classes or to hang out with friends. This location accepts TBucks! You can find other Second Cups all across Toronto, including on College Street and on St. George Street inside Sidney Smith Hall. This chain is an in-between of Tim Hortons and Starbucks, as it has Starbucks’ prices but adopts Tim Hortons’ rule on following standard recipes, leaving little room for experimentation. Some drinks I remember sampling are the iced and hot maple lattes, iced pumpkin chai, iced London fog with oat milk, and iced matcha, all ranging between $6–$9. The maple lattes and iced pumpkin chai are my personal favourites, as they have enough caffeine to wake you up but are also adequately sweet. I would not recommend the iced matcha latte; it tasted milky and looked pale green when I tried it. ★★★★★

10 DEAN 484 Spadina Avenue My friend and I decided to visit 10 DEAN during our 3:00 pm study break. Being so late in the afternoon, the café was quite busy, yet we were still able to find seating. The interior was dark and luxurious with dim lighting. We ordered the miso caramel cloud latte with oat and regular milk and paid around $8–$9. The drinks were solid — lightly sweetened with hints of caramel — but I wouldn’t come here every day. This café seems to sell a luxurious experience, one that’s only fun when you’re with your friends to socialize. 10 DEAN also has several strict policies, including one where guests who plan to stay must order a new drink every two hours! ★★★☆☆

Bloom Cafe 255 Beverley Street Bloom Cafe is located at College and Beverley, near the west end of campus. I went there an hour past sunset, so the space was quiet, with only one other customer. The interior itself was contemporary minimalist with marble tables and curved wooden seating that had hints of burgundy red. I ordered the iced kinako cheese latte for $7.91, a drink made with roasted soy flour and topped with a cream cheese 6

Kibo Café 9 King’s College Circle (in Gerstein Library) Located inside Gerstein Science Information Centre on King’s College Circle, the café is tucked away in a library basement. From Kibo Café, I have tried the pistachio chocolate croissant, almond croissant, iced mango matcha, iced oat mocha, and iced London fog. The drinks and pastries range from $5–$8, with sandwiches closer to $10. The interior looks like an average contemporary university dining hall — plain white tables with orange chairs — but does have substantial seating. While most of their drinks tasted good, I do not recommend the iced mango matcha; it had an artificial flavour. Additionally, I noticed they sell the same pastries and sandwiches here as they do at Cafe 059 and the Robarts Library cafeteria. They accept TBucks! ★★★★☆

Cafe 059 1 Spadina Crescent (in Daniels Building) As a student at the Daniels Faculty, I, like my peers, find myself buying from Cafe 059 very often. There is limited seating and it can get extremely busy before and after lecture times. This section of the Daniels building has a brutalist feel, as the floors and walls are mostly concrete. The building is a bit far from the rest of campus, close to the west end. However, the drinks and pastries are considerably cheaper here because the employees are student volunteers, meaning they do not charge tax, which is also why they do not accept cash. Their drink menu is minimal, sticking to mochas, lattes, steeped teas, and matcha. The lattes and mochas priced around $3 taste like your average Nespresso lattes, lightly sweetened unless specified otherwise. However, given that volunteers run the café, the drinks — particularly the matcha — may taste different depending on who makes it. However, the variability is absolutely worth it for the low prices. ★★★★★

Handbook 2026

2026

TO REVISE, AND WHERE TO REVISE — FOR THAT IS THE QUESTION!

It’s mid-October and you are in the throes of your first midterm season at U of T. You’ve got two projects to work on, an essay to write, and an exam to cram for. Only one thing is missing: the perfect study spot. With over 40 libraries to choose from, where should you go?

Food is not permitted in the library, but you can walk across the hall to the Clarke Reading Room for a convenient snack break spot. A stellar part of this library is its large selection of modern fiction, from genre writing to comics; the UC library has it all!

Emmanuel College Library Outlets: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Seating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Moodiness: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Flammable: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Perfect for: A rainy afternoon study session after class while listening to Hozier. Hello, aesthetic! If you are a dark academia lover, this library is the one for you. Surrounded by Gothic windows and carved wood panelling, the library is wellequipped with worktables across the main floor and a secluded table up top on the mezzanine. For a smaller space, there are a decent amount of outlets for all your device-related needs. To protect the sanctity of the pages (and the carpets), Emmanuel College Library forbids food and drink (water is ok!) from entering its hallowed halls. However, right next to the library is a lounge for students and faculty, where food and drink are permitted. This little alcove provides a necessary break in the U of T study grind.

John W. Graham Library Outlets: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Seating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Academic pressure: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Popularity: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Perfect for: Grinding out a last-minute essay cocooned by bookshelves. This beautiful library, hidden behind Trinity College, boasts plentiful seating, its own private study rooms, and computers and printing services. This library is beloved for its beautiful study rooms equipped with quilted couches and armchairs, as well as its cubicle seating, which is fitted with outlets and lamps for late-night studying. Though the library is beautiful — once again, a great library for students to live out their dark academia dreams — it does not allow food or drink. Due to its beauty, the library tends to be on the fuller side, especially during midterms and finals.

John M. Kelly Library Outlets: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Seating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Snackability: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Tech support: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Perfect for: A commuter student’s longhaul study marathon (snack breaks included!). While this library might look a little gray among the architecture of Old Campus, its value supersedes its design. The first floor includes rows of computers, printing services, a research commons, and armchairs! The outlets are plentiful on the first floor, and you can bring food and drinks into the library. On the second and third floors, there are more books than seating. Outlets can be sparse. However, you can book private study rooms on the library website, which are equipped with outlets, a whiteboard, and a full-screen TV. University College Library Outlets: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Seating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Gothic aesthetic: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Bestsellers stock: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Perfect for: Devouring a book under the ambiance of stained glass. Upon entrance, you’ll immediately see the library’s long worktable fitted with outlets. Shelves run along both sides with smaller tables stationed within the alcoves. Moving up the spiral staircase leads to even more alcoves with two-seater couches and beautiful stained glass windows! The library also offers two private study rooms. 8

Music Library Seating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Hours: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Vinyl collection: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Vitamin D: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Perfect for: An exam-cram to a band-jam (or The Sound of Silence). Nestled along the peaceful Philosophers Walk is the Faculty of Music’s Edward Johnson Building and its Music Library. This library is notable for its massive collection of music in all forms. Students can check out records, cassette tapes, and CD’s, and access special collections and archives of printed scores. The library has a listening room equipped with turntables and computers. Headphones are available for rent at the front desk. The library also has VHS and Blu-ray players, along with natural light therapy lamps scattered throughout the floors. My favourite spaces in the library are the listening room, the armchairs just beside it, and the study carrels on the bottom floor. The library is a short walk from Museum Station, and ALWAYS quiet. Earth Sciences Library Seating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Outlets: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Elusive location: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Board game inventory: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Perfect for: Catching up on readings and a chess match with the local hobbits. Down Ursula Franklin Street, onto Bancroft Avenue, and up to the second floor of the Earth Sciences Building is the Earth Sciences Library. The reading room is by far the most appealing part of the library, with numerous tables on the ground floor and private cubicles

along the mezzanine. The outlets are plentiful along the cubicles, but are sparse on the ground floor. That said, the chairs are soft AND comfortable, so the lack of technological support might be forgiven. Hidden among the shelves of the library is my favourite feature — the stacks have been turned into a sort of board game nook. There are tables, which might be used to play any of the available board games — Lord of the Rings Chess, Game of Thrones Risk, Scotland Yard, Catan, and more are all available through the service desk! Caven Library Hours: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Outlets: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Organ music: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Lighting: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Perfect for: A frantic study session pretending to be one of Donna Tartt’s characters in The Secret History. Dear reader, the glamour of this library makes up for any and all of its shortcomings. On the second floor of Knox College is Caven Library. In the chapel across from the library, music from the organ can often be heard, setting a very academic-overachiever mood to any study session. The library is fitted with massive stained glass windows bordered by reading chairs, long tables with bankers’ lamps, and private study cubicles along the back end of the library. The best seats are opposite the windows — when the light hits them, it makes studying suddenly bearable. Now, the library is aesthetically gorgeous, however its outlet situation is sparse, and its hours of operation are short — open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm during the week. I encourage this library as a brief, but very worthwhile, sojourn for any student looking for the true academic experience. D.G. Ivey Library Seating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Outlets: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ People watching: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Green space: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Perfect for: A lengthy research session to the views of trees; a reminder that the outside world does, in fact, exist. Located next to New College on Willcocks Street is the Ivey. The Ivey is a large library with special collections in African studies, Caribbean studies, disability studies, equity studies, and women and gender studies. The library has lots of windows, armchairs and couches, and study cubicles on both floors. The worktables also feature built-in outlets for all technological needs! My favourite parts of the library are the large windows that provide all the natural light. Whether it is September or February, being able to see the outside world becomes increasingly important in the depths of exam review.

Handbook 2026

To revise, and where to revise — for that is the question! UTSG library guide Juliet Pieters | Writer Maria Alampay, Brennan Karunaratne, Ella MacCormack, Erika Ozols | Photography

2026

TAKE THE TTC

Take the TTC Really, please, just do it! Writer | Alec Zelek Illustration | Gabriella Castillo Content warning: discussions of substance abuse, violence, and sexual violence. Hey, froshies! Look, I don’t mean to intrude. I’m sure you’ve got plenty of fun stuff on your calendar — maybe some from this very handbook! I just wanted to remind you to be careful, y’know? You shouldn’t be sticking around too late by yourself. The subway’s dangerous at night, as you’re no doubt aware. Better to just head home early in safe company… Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. I know I got that earful headed to my frosh week from the uninspiring suburb of Vaughan, Ontario. And just 10

like I thought then, I think it’s junk forced rhetoric that dehumanizes minorities and those of low socioeconomic status by exaggerating danger to pander to personal safety fears. What? Huh? To understand, uh, all that, we’ve first gotta figure out what this narrative actually means. Saying something is ‘dangerous,’ or that you should be ‘careful’ around it, is a sugar-coated way of calling it scary. The rhetoric of unsafety is telling you to be cautious or fearful of something — or someone. Safety-peddlers would like to keep that someone in the abstract — ne’er-do-wells victimizing helpless,

innocent Torontonians upon the transit commission. But we don’t get intermezzos to shit our pants about Casper the unfriendly ghost. No, they’re getting us to fear certain, real people. Who, exactly? We’ve got Toronto Star stats that show (surprise surprise!) Canadians are twice as likely to consider minoritized people to be criminals than what is accurate. And let’s not neglect another big issue at play here. Lowerincome individuals are seen as likelier perpetrators of crime and are also more often racialized. In this context, cautioning about the TTC becomes a socially acceptable suggestion to fear lower-income and racialized people when you Ride the

Handbook 2026

Rocket. Now, this might just evoke enough fear in you to avoid the lines entirely, leaving nobody at hand to derogate. What remains is transit being way cheaper than owning (or ridesharing) a car, meaning big bad transit ridership tends to be more racialized and working-class on the whole. Mission accomplished, baby, we’ve still demonized the poor! One way or another, this rhetoric of personal danger is an invitation to caricaturize these groups, to see them as threats. The moment you start categorizing people like that is the moment you stop thinking of them as people. Any script that robs people of their personhood also robs them of their

You

will

almost

certainly

feel

unsafe

some

point when using public

transit

Toronto.

You

can

acknowledge

that

without demonizing the

service.

dignity, and without dignity, it gets a whole lot easier to excuse how you treat those people. I get that it’s a tough pill to swallow, that wanting ‘safety’ would implicate you in all this. But friends don’t let friends join those using oppressive rhetoric. Cui bono? There’s this nice little adage: “follow the money.” Let’s put that into practice for thinking the TTC is unsafe. For starters, the less you see impoverished people as people, the less the government needs to spend on giving dignified lives to all its constituents. You’re already seeing that with the shuttering of supervised consumption sites (SCSs). It’s a big cost 2026

TAKE THE TTC

saver for the government to let poor people overdose, and they can reap the profit twofold. Without SCSs, drug use gets pushed into places like the TTC. Drug use — often concomitant with homelessness and poverty — is yet another trait people will see and fear. That newfound visibility ramps up the narrative of the TTC being ‘dangerous,’ which in turn diverts ridership from the subway or, at least, paints the Commission as incompetent. Nobody wants to fund an incompetent service, so the province now has the pretext to gut the TTC’s funding. Less funding actually makes the TTC less competent, providing a great excuse for Premier Ford to use the lovely clauses he slipped into Bill 98 and take the reins. Once that happens, well, the world is our perfectly anodyne oyster! We could enshittify it for maximum profit, write some more bills to privatize it like ol’ Maggie Thatcher… ooh, we could even make it inaccessible to those leeching, rabble-rousing university students! Hey, we got what we asked for. The implication I know I’m coming off in a way that begs a certain question: who am I to tell women when they’re allowed to feel safe and unsafe? And the answer is, I’m clearly no one. I’m not experiencing violent crime at double the rate that men are. I don’t have a one in three chance of being subjected to unwanted sexual behaviour in public. I don’t have to worry about whether someone is staring at me because they see me as a piece of property. It will never be my place to tell people in that position how to feel. But I can ask that we inspect a brief piece of history. Riot Grrrl was a ‘90s feminist punk movement for (mostly white) women to effect liberation in broader society and their scene. It made strides, but in operating as the oppressed subject instead of an oppressed subject, Riot Grrrl ostracized racialized and lowerincome women, which sabotaged its own progress. The movement unintentionally modelled how empowering but reductive messaging can further an existing injustice. Now, we might watch as ex-UTSU 12

president Melani Veveçka expands the union’s Uber vouchering in these “darker” times for “women and gender diverse folks” on public transit. Hrm… Reinforcing issues of race or class under the guise of gender activism is a great way to claw back would-be dissenters into keeping the status quo. Black Canadians are twice as likely to experience homelessness; ‘homeless people’ are pointed to as much of the TTC’s ‘danger.’ Last year, one-tenth of people who have ever been homeless were also assaulted. And those very same gender diverse folks experience homelessness at a tenfold disproportionate rate. There’s depth to this. King Charles X, Marie Antoinette, and Mobutu Sese Seko all ran from the pitchforks and torches.

I’m not stupid Yes, the TTC can be dangerous. Yes, the subway harbours many drug users with nowhere else to go, and an altered state of mind can accompany behavioural volatility that is sensed as threatening. Although they’re not ‘violent’ like we think, people with substance dependence are statistically associated with violence. You will almost certainly feel unsafe at some point when using public transit in Toronto. You can acknowledge that without demonizing the service. Even putting aside the difference between feeling unsafe and being in danger, some people have bigger problems than which electives to fill their timetable with. That’s just the reality of it.

If you really want a tip, nobody likes getting stared at, least of all when they’re in bad humour. Mind your own business, and be direct and polite when someone’s speaking to you. I can admit that the TTC isn’t all sunshine and roses, and then I can move on because that’s life. What I take issue with is the belief that the truth has to be fearful. Drivers get booked for impairment charges roughly as often as TTC customers get victimized aboard the system (around twice every million trips), yet nobody crusades against nighttime driving. Maybe because transit isn’t scary for its violence, but for forcing us to confront the issues underlying our social systems. The TTC brings us face-to-face with every grain of sand that we all mourn, “slipped through the cracks.” Every offender or creator of danger — you can almost hear the tsks of the talking heads as they say it — should have been getting help or locked away long ago. Cars shield us from this. The onus is on the individual to operate them safely, and failure to do so is ascribed to the driver alone. We like to sell ourselves on that idea of self-determination writ large; we want to believe everybody is where they are because of who they are. Looking at the transit system challenges that notion, so we paint the misfortunate as bad people, as less than people, to preserve our point of view. Or we’re told to avoid transit altogether — keep the dissonance out of sight and out of mind. But that’s not how the world works. University is where you learn that there’s more to life than what you’ve been told. Or it’s where you learn to solve partial differential equations for Lockheed Martin. But if you’re not here to collect a crimson-stained paycheque, you might as well get a start on the former. Stay at frosh events till midnight. Take the last train back to your place. Ride the 506 to a speakeasy. Hop on the night bus after a protracted debrief and enjoy not a single moment of it. I don’t care. Fuck the system. Thoughtfully

critique the system. Mindlessly glaze the system for cheap marks. Do whatever, as long as you’re not turning back at 7:00 pm to spout some bullshit about ‘safety.’

Handbook 2026

AMY HUANG

A WRITER AND POET’S GUIDE TO TORONTO

A writer and poet’s guide to Toronto

Down and out in the 6ix BUSHRA AZIM BOBLAI | AUTHOR AMY HUANG | ILLUSTRATOR If you are an incoming freshman who is not under the thrall of tech CEOs’ fantastical promises, then I have some good news for you. Toronto is an excellent place to become a writer or get your foot into the literary scene. Like New York City, London, and Paris, Toronto’s metropolitan nature attracts writers, publishers, and opportunities that other, more boring cities cannot offer. Here are some ways to get involved in the city’s bustling literary happenings. For the poets Toronto is home to some of the coolest poets in the world, such as Dionne Brand, Hoa Nguyen, Vivek Shraya, and Farah Ghafoor. There are also many wonderful independent poetry presses based in the city that publish exciting works in the genre. Here is how you can get involved: Attend poetry launches: If you follow the Instagram accounts of independent bookstores in Toronto like Another Story Bookshop, Type Books, Flying Books, Queen Books, and others, you will often see poetry launches, readings, and poet talks advertised

throughout the year. Take advantage of the city’s cosmopolitan nature and hear some of the best poets in the world speak when they come through town. Read read read: Toronto is home to some pretty cool indie poetry presses, including House of Anansi Press, Coach House Books, Knife Fork Book, Brick Books, and Book*hug Press, just to name a few. Writers who are self-absorbed enough to only read their own poetry produce disgusting work. To avoid being mocked by your fellow poets, let Toronto poet Dionne Brand’s Nomenclature transform your artistic outlook forever. It’s worthwhile to check out some of the work from cool local poets in case you run into them. Notable examples that haven’t already been named include Anthony Oliveira, Terese Mason Pierre,

Khashayar ‘Kess’ Mohammadi, Alex Deng, Sennah Yee, and ME!!! Embark on a chapbook-making project: A chapbook is a small poetry collection under 40 pages. Try consolidating a collection of poems about awful university mornings, embarrassing things you did in class, or Toronto parks you hate. This will help you practice assembling a cohesive poetry collection and settle into campus life as a writer.

Handbook 2026

For the novelists Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world. You will encounter all facets of the human experience here. There are so many weird and unique people, places, and happenings here to experience. Here’s where you can find them: Observe observe observe: Sit down at a window in a restaurant or café facing a busy street, like the Phở Hưng on Spadina Avenue, and jot down every odd thing you see occurring on the street. Other great haunts for this are Fran’s 24-hour diner at 2:00 am, or Le Gourmand on Spadina and Richmond. Submit to a U of T publication: U of T has lots of opportunities for writers to get their first publication credit or get feedback from people. Check out excellent publications like Mnerva Literary Journal, The Spectatorial, The Trinity Review, Acta Victoriana, and Goose Fiction Journal. The Salon Series at the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon: The Toronto Public Library hosts free salons with acclaimed writers from all over the world at the Toronto Reference Library. Have you ever wanted to meet a literary bigwig like Coleson Whitehead or Elif Batuman? With this year-round series, you might get your chance! For the readers Toronto is a surprisingly literate city. I am always finding someone reading Dostoyevsky or George Eliot on the subway. The bookstores are always cultivating loyal customers, and the

library is always bustling. Here are some things you can do as a reader in Toronto: Used bookstores: In this economy, a used bookstore is your best friend. Do you need to buy a niche book from a long-forgotten author of the 1960s to impress your cool, smart crush? Are you looking for an old edition of a beloved book that fell victim to the ugliness of contemporary marketing? Don’t want to go bankrupt because of the campus bookstore pricing model? The answer to all of those situations is a used bookstore. From BMV Books, to ABC Books, to Doug Miller Books, and Seekers Books, the city has a used bookstore for every niche. Specialty bookstores: Check out Bakka-Phoenix Books for all of your science fiction and fantasy needs. If a vintage paperback is what you are looking for, Balfour Books on Bathurst and College is your best bet. If you are on the hunt for out-of-print art, architecture, or photography books, then Acadia Bookstore is the place. Try Swipe Design for all the cool art books, and Issues Magazine Shop or Presse Internationale for the coolest magazines from all over the planet. Best reading spots: The amazing reading spots at U of T have been written and speculated about a lot already. But there is more to Toronto than the huge chunk of downtown that UTSG occupies. Here are some of my favourites: • By the Berczy Park dog fountain. Steps away from St. Lawrence Market, this park is perfect to linger in! The pigeons don’t harass you too much, and the fountain and trees

provide respite from the city’s cruel summer humidity. It’s also a great place to eavesdrop because the conversations here are never dull. • On the subway during rush hour. Having a book on hand when you are in a crowded car full of late people is the perfect time to get lost in a book. The 30 to 40 minute ride can help you take down a good 50 pages and avoid awkward eye contact. Besides, many, many other people are doing the same thing, so you will definitely not look like a try-hard. • At Trinity Bellwoods Park. I have a perfect bench. It faces Type Books but is also far enough away from the pathway to avoid the annoying dog owners. The sun is great. The wind is great. Your whole body just relaxes. It may be overhyped, but Trinity Bellwoods is definitely one of our best parks. Best performative reading spots: Being authentic all the time is overrated. Sometimes it’s fun to perform for others. Don’t take pictures for your dating profile at BMV, but here are some ways to be noticed as a main character in a literary city full of them. • The bar counter at Flying Books at Neverland. I am at my most pretentious when I visit this charming bookstore/ café/bar. Their Queen Street location is a popular destination for equally pretentious and fun people. The key is to have the right kind of book. A translation. Maybe a buzzy award nominee, but not too buzzy. The point is to show off that you are in touch with the zeitgeist, but also that you are open to attention. • A Rooms coffee shop. These coffee shops are happening, always visited by the city’s coolest denizens, and playing music that you have probably not heard before. The key here is to have a really thick book about socialist issues or a very obscure poetry collection. If it’s the only book the poet had put out before they tragically died, that’s even better! • At a Blue Jays game. You will get so much attention. This is the most performative option out of all four, with the added bonus of having a source of entertainment when the long game eventually bores you. Go Jays! • At the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in front of a cool painting. Take advantage of your free under-25 pass and read on one of the museum’s benches while crowds wander around you. Most people will think you are annoying, but sacrifices need to be made for performance art. The key is to know a lot about the painting in front of you so that when someone strikes up a conversation, you come off as the right amount of tortured artist. 2026

Article Slug

DID YOU KNOW YOU HAVE RIGHTS? -

Governing Council says you do, and so do I Writer | Ella MacCormack Isio Emakpor | Illustration B

Handbook 2026

I make it my business to defend the students of U of T against injustices of every kind, and that includes unsanctioned syllabus changes, late assignment grades, and false cheating allegations. … Okay, so it’s not my business — that would be the professionals at Downtown Legal Services (DLS), who provide free legal assistance for U of T students. Don’t opt out of their levy. Who knows what hot water you’ll get into later this semester? While I can’t fight for you personally, I can inform you of some policies that apply to your life on campus. Syllabus fraud First things first, the professor needs to distribute the syllabus no later than the first week of class. It must include how you are being assessed, the percentage and timing of each assignment, and the late penalty policy. Let’s say your prof wants to change the syllabus structure midway through the course. Think again. Governing Council policy requires them to get the consent of the majority of the class through a majority vote to modify assignments or the syllabus. There must be an option to keep the syllabus as is, and notice of the vote must be announced in a previous class. When it comes to finals season, no term test worth more than 25 per cent of the final course grade can be held in the last two weeks. Also, no form of assessment can be worth more than 80 per cent of the course grade. Grade evasion TAs think they can keep every assignment until after the drop deadline? Not so fast. Before the drop deadline, they need to return at least 10 percent of your marks. If you want to appeal a grade, make sure to appeal at least two weeks after you receive it, at the latest. You can escalate the appeal beyond your professor, but the assignment will have to be worth at least 20 per cent of your course grade to make it worth the department’s time. Forget what you’ve heard, U of T does not curve grades. It is explicitly banned to distribute grades by a predetermined quota. That said, the faculty will probably give your instructor some guidelines for a reasonable grade distribution to adhere to. If grades are adjusted, the instructor must notify students and justify the change. During finals season, if you think, even for a moment, that you want to withdraw from the class or defer the exam, DO NOT GO TO THAT FINAL. Even an attempt at writing the final is considered completing the course, and the university will likely reject your petition. Late penalty laundering Your professors are not obligated to accept late work outside of legitimate, documented reasons unless they have an outlined policy in the syllabus. Extensions can be granted by profs at their discretion up until five days after the end of exam

season. After that, you are required to petition your registrar. Good luck preparing that personal statement. You can use absence declarations to get out of quizzes, midterms, papers, or really any academic obligations during the regular term. But remember: it cannot be used for finals. Absence declarations are designed to cover health problems and other personal emergencies without requiring a doctor’s note or other form of documentation, although it’s not supposed to be used for personal obligations. You are only allowed one declaration per academic term, but it can span across seven days. You submit it on ACORN and then arrange reasonable accommodations with your prof. Cyberextortion When using U of T’s information and communication technology (ICT), including Wi-Fi, do not assume you have complete privacy. For one, ICT resources are U of T’s property, and “the University reserves the right to examine any electronic files where the University, in its sole discretion, determines that it has reason to do so.” You are allowed reasonable personal use, but that does not include accessing porn or pirating sites. Looking at you, first years in residences. Quercus will tattle on you to profs with a range of analytics. This includes the last time you logged in, your grade, how many course modules you’ve opened, and your activity compared to other students. Freaky. When taking an online quiz, they can also see when you navigate to a new tab and for how long. Don’t lie to U of T about not seeing an email in your student account as an excuse for something; they can tell when you last logged in. There have been tribunal cases for academic offences where the university has stated when the student last accessed their official email. Also, you should know that your U of T email communications are available through FIPPA requests, so be careful what you send out. Obstructing justice The Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters outlines the procedure if you are accused of an academic offence, which can culminate in a tribunal with real lawyers. Official U of T academic offences include: forgery and falsification, unauthorized aids, impersonation, plagiarism, resubmitting previous academic work, and concocting facts. If that doesn’t cover their bases, the code clarifies that any cheating, academic dishonesty, misconduct, fraud, or misrepresentation “not herein otherwise described, in order to obtain academic credit or other academic advantage of any kind.” They kinda phoned it in on that last one. If your instructor has reasonable grounds to believe you have committed or aided and abetted in one of the above — wrongly, of course — they need to inform

you immediately. Nothing you say in this conversation can be used as evidence against you. If the instructor still believes you are guilty after discussing it with you, they can report it to the department chair. You will then get a notice from the dean or department chair inviting you and the instructor to a meeting. If you don’t respond to the notice within the deadline, you are considered automatically guilty. At this meeting, anything you say can and will be used against you as evidence. You are allowed to bring a lawyer — don’t forget about our buddies over at DLS. If you confess, then the department can impose sanctions or escalate to the tribunal anyway. If you profess your innocence, the department can either agree with you and dismiss the whole thing or recommend the Provost lay charges. Once the Provost lays charges, the tribunal process begins. Unfortunately for you, the tribunal is not based on if you are guilty “beyond reasonable doubt”. Instead, the tribunal panel votes based on a balance of probabilities, so if you have more likely than not committed the alleged offence, they will find you guilty. The prosecution, or University Discipline Counsel, is made up of a barrister and solicitor qualified to practice law. I can tell you from reading through tribunal cases that most students’ defence counsel is nobody. Actually, a shocking number of students don’t even show up to the tribunal. Please know that you aren’t required to testify, so just show up if you can. If you are found guilty, you will get a zero in the course. The recommended tribunal sanction is a two-year suspension for academic dishonesty, and three years if there are prior offences. They recommend expulsion for forging academic records, impersonating another student, falsifying multiple records, or submitting purchased academic work. Thankfully, the tribunal doesn’t have the death penalty. 2026

FIELD GUIDE TO UTSG

Field

guide

UTSG

How to get lost on campus Illustration | Chloe Weston You will never fully know your way around U of T, so I wouldn’t bother trying. Our campus was not designed for any of us. It was constructed, burned down, expanded, struck by lightning, renovated, and patched together over two centuries or so. I wish I could give you the definitive guide on how to get around U of T, but I have very little idea where I am east of Queen’s Park, and I’ve made my peace with that. Honestly, I don’t attend enough lectures or office hours to give you a true academic rundown either. You’ll figure all of that out yourself soon enough. Instead, consider this a brief field guide to campus. Know your terrain We actually used to be called Queen’s Park campus instead of St. George. If you didn’t notice, the old growth of campus — towers, stone buildings, churches, gargoyles — is on two mostly symmetrical halves surrounding 18

Ella MacCormack | Writer Queen’s Park. It wasn’t until the mid ’50s when President Sidney Smith aggressively expanded campus past St. George to solve the university’s lack of space that the street became so central. Frat row used to be where Sidney Smith Hall and Robarts Library are today, and the frats are still bitter about it. After the university either purchased or expropriated the houses, most of Greek life migrated north of Bloor Street. You can see the remnants on St. George Street still, with the active Lambda Chi house and the soon-tobe-demolished Kappa Alpha house. The east side of Queen’s Park is filled with quadrangles, archways, back alleys, and statues. The buildings have entrances and exits on every side, so good luck orienting yourself after leaving a lecture. I never know where I am, and I swear the statues are moving places when we aren’t looking. Southwest of campus has the engineers, who congregate around Galbraith and

Sandford Fleming, and science and hospital buildings stretch further south. Also, I swear no one knows how to pronounce Bahen. Bahen? Bay-hen? Every time I say it, someone laughs. Just say it quickly; someone will correct you anyway. Even if you don’t know where you are going, be a good pedestrian. Stay to the right side, don’t take up all the pavement walking arm in arm with your friends, and feel free to shout at the e-bikes speeding past you. By the way, the light takes forever to change at Hoskin Ave and Tower Road. It’s not worth crossing there (legally). Follow migration patterns Orientation is always a weird time, whether you are in or out of it. There are purple footprints everywhere, awkward chant circles, and large congregations of matching t-shirts and drawstring bags. Participate as much or as little as you want, but know that if they are trying to corral a group of you downtown, it’s probably just to hop in the Nathan Phillips Square reflecting pool. You should feel grateful that some traditions died out, like dousing froshies with cold water in bed, making them wear beanies nonstop, or miming a dead bug on the ground whenever a senior yelled “RAID.” You did miss out on some memorable years though: the 1985 University College (UC) student government accidentally spent their year’s budget on orientation, racking up a tab of $40,000. One of their purchases included 6,000 bottles of beer, which amounted to 15 bottles per frosh attendee. It’s a bit too late to attend that one. Your classes are going to be packed for the first couple weeks. I swear, some poor souls will be sitting on the stairs of some lecture halls. The numbers will dwindle as your fellow classmates will learn that even mandatory attendance is still optional. Prepare for attendance to spike again the week before every midterm and exam. Campus is busiest 10 minutes before and after the hour. This is when students, teaching assistants (TAs), and profs alike are moving from class to tutorial to lab to lunch. If you don’t have class, avoid getting in line at cafés or food trucks at this time. Come back in 15 minutes, and there will be no lines at all. The Second Cup baristas will thank you. Speaking of lines, there is no need to be lined up more than 10 minutes early for an exam; I promise you. You’ll either stand outside the building or shoulder-toshoulder in the lobby. All you’ll do is absorb the nervousness of the crowd and realize how few of your classmates you recognize. Listen for calls and songs If you hear a 3:00 am marching band outside your Sir Dans windows, best believe you can blame the engineers. You know, it used to be a frosh tradition to steal as many of those hard hats as you could. I can confirm, the UC student government still has a stolen yellow hard hat on the mantle of their exec office. Maybe we should bring that back.

Handbook 2026

Fire alarms are an inevitability. If you are living in residence, prepare for three or four false alarms a semester. Do not become numb to it, no matter how annoying it is. The one time you ignore it will be the time someone starts a microwave fire. First years are prone to accidental fires, and in maybe more relevant news, we had a paper arson spree around campus earlier this year. There are a lot of bells and whistles around Back Campus, the fields next to UC and Hart House. Churches and towers around will frequently play melodies at the top of the hour, and intramural games will fill the fields with whistles. Back Campus is also where the Canadian army would occasionally train during the World Wars, so there’s that. If you don’t mind the whistles and cheers, try catching a game or two at Varsity Stadium. The concrete slabs on the side are also a fun place to people watch. If sports don’t entice you, know that Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Alice Cooper, Chicago, the Doors, and John Lennon all played there for a twelve-hour festival. Lennon played here just days before he left the Beatles. Rumour has it, this was the first concert where people held up their lighters in solidarity. Recognize the invasive species There is always something happening on campus. If it seems quiet, it’s because everyone is at that one interesting thing happening at the moment. This will lose its lustre as the year goes on, and you will find yourself more annoyed about how the visiting VIP is blocking traffic or the filming crew is stopping you from getting to your next lecture. The most odious are the anti-abortion protesters. They will come bearing some graphic signs. Don’t try and reason with them; they will record you. Religious missionaries are another frequent flier on the sidewalks of campus, although they don’t often come with speakers and posters. If you see a group of masked bandits on a roof after midnight, it’s probably Skule’s Brute Force Committee. They are probably trying to put a hard hat on Con Hall or make Artsci signs spell Farts & Science, so best leave them be. Make camp I would recommend scouting out a base camp early on so you have a safe place to rely on throughout the semester. Mine was a weird corner of the UC basement, a quiet booth with a window. It also has good bathrooms. The popularity, noise level, and access to bathrooms and outlets should all be considerations when making camp. Check out your student lounges. I know it’s in the name, but they are surprisingly flush with resources to lounge. Sometimes they have microwaves, fridges, TVs, board games, whatever you might need on your journey. Everyone suddenly rediscovers the library during exam season, so I would not recommend one of the major libraries as a home base. Make sure to bring your wallet

to Robarts Library and Commons, Gerstein, or OISE Library, as they still scan for TCards since the pandemic. When Robarts was first built in 1972, they were originally going to ban younger years from accessing the stacks. Students successfully protested against it, although both the student union president and Varsity editor-in-chief got arrested at the time. Now, we’re all happy to ban the public from accessing the library, I guess. You are not allowed to eat in most libraries, but most people ignore that anyway. That’s actually true of a lot of library rules. If you insist on eating, don’t be an asshole about it. Don’t pull out a full Tupperware of leftovers, a loud bag of chips, or anything that will leave crumbs or residue behind. If it is a quiet, self-contained snack, no one is really going to say anything. Forage for food I’m not going to lie, most food options on campus are taking advantage of your desperation. Genuinely, pack a lunch. If you really need a bite though, I would either recommend shawarma at the food trucks, a bite at Galleria, or my favourite, Acacia Café at Wycliffe. Sometimes the organ in the attached chapel adds a soundtrack to your sandwich break. If you are on a mandatory meal plan in residence, know that most people do not use all of their money, so don’t overly focus on saving the meal plan. Feed yourself; that’s what it is designed for. When first years finally notice how much balance they have left at the end of the year, there is a panic to buy all of the non-perishable snacks possible. If you are as broke as me, it is not worth buying a soda from one of the food trucks or

hot dog stands. Instead, buy a can from the Arts & Science Student Union for a couple of quarters. You can also do some free black and white printing there, so their office is well worth a visit. Grad Pub is the last student pub on campus that still serves beer. We have a few student-run cafés — Diabolos’, Cafe 059, Caffiends — and some student-run venues like Catseye, but there used to be multiple student-run places to grab a pint. How tragic. Despite its name, undergrads are allowed in the Grad Pub, so stop by for a drink. Weather the seasons U of T has a lot of old buildings that are both difficult to heat and cool down. In October, you will be chilly, wondering when the heat will turn on this year. I promise, once it is on, you will be begging for it to be turned down. You must accept that the building you enter and the building you leave will have entirely different climates. The key is wearing layers you can peel off. Thankfully, our location on the lake sends most snowstorms to Buffalo instead. Our new president, Melanie Woodin, seems to be a bigger fan of snow days than the previous administration, but don’t count on school being cancelled because of the weather. We are usually the last campus of the three to close, and often the announcement comes halfway through the day. You will see a lot of Canada Goose jackets soon. It is not necessary to buy a thousand-dollar coat to stay warm, but you should be mentally and physically prepared for the cold. Focus on waterproofing. Also, your winter boots should have some grip. There are a lot of metal grates or panels around campus, and without a good sole, you will land squarely on your ass. Between the snow, slush, and rain, Front Campus becomes a pond for most of the year. Unless you brought some waders, don’t anticipate being able to cross the lawn reliably throughout the semesters. There actually used to be a river around UC before the university dried it up; you can still catch Taddle Creek trying to reform after the snow melts. Make a map You are probably still unprepared. I’m going into my final year, and I’m still walking into the wrong lecture hall and googling where my exams are. No field guide can really prepare you. Altogether, the population of U of T would be one of the 50 most populated Canadian cities, bigger than my own hometown. No two students have the same experience; it would be impossible. We all draw our own version of the campus map. U of T has spent the better part of two hundred years growing into what it is today, and it isn’t finished yet. Buildings will close, new ones will open. You are now part of the same process. You and everyone around you. You might not have a century or two to figure out who you are, but you do have the next couple of years, starting now. 2026

FIELD GUIDE TO UTSC

university, and now a triangular memorial stands on her old estate. Today, UTSC stands as a site for ground-breaking research in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, including excellent English and film studies programs that echo the history of experimental televised lectures at Scarborough College. Your story here at UTSC is just beginning, so I’ll help by giving you some stage direction. My day on campus starts like many others: commuting by the TTC.

Our campus is very young — 1964 young. Our campus’ concrete stories might not seem like much compared to the faraway tales of old academia at St. George. But that’s not true. Studying at a younger campus comes with as much history and privilege as studying at an older one. Unlike those at UTSG, we have a closer connection to our past residents and the potential to direct the future of our campus through stories. The land now called UTSC has a curious history. The land is the territory of the Huron-Wendat and First Nations, the Seneca, and, most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. In 1911, Bay Street lawyer Miller Lash was driving down what is now Old Kingston Road, and according to the university’s accounts, Lash “was so impressed by the verdant valley with picturesque Highland Creek running through it, that he returned to the city of Toronto and promptly bought the property.” The ‘purchased’ Lash estate was among the land stolen by the province from seven First Nations of the Mississaugas and Chippewas, and was part of a 95-year-long legal battle ending in settlements and apologies. In 1963, U of T purchased the property to build Scarborough College, an experimental televised university. When the college opened in 1965, lectures were filmed in a campus studio and broadcast to 50 classrooms through a closed-circuit system. This system did not prove popular with professors or students, whose mutual grumbling led UTSC to retire televised lectures by 1970. Throughout these early years, UTSC also picked fights over land rights with a stubborn gossip columnist who refused to sell her triangle-shaped acre and a half in the valley next to campus. Right before her death, the trustee of her estate completed the sale of the land to the 20

The ideal place to get off is at Military Trail and Ellesmere, right at the intersection between the old and new sides of campus. On the right is the much-loved Andrews Building — a Brutalist favourite of architects and filmmakers across the world — and on the left, newer builds like the Sam Ibrahim Building, which has some of my favourite lecture halls on campus, and the developing School of Medicine site. Most of our lecture halls are ideal, with plenty of seating, personal space, and note-taking room… with one notable exception: AC223. This lecture hall cannot be avoided. It feels like a hazing ritual for first-year students. There are many seats, but no room to move your arms. You are

somehow meant to balance your notes on the pizza-slice-sized boards that pivot up from beneath the armrest. Thankfully, now you have something to talk about in office hours — just how much you hate that room. Once you have survived your lectures and bonded with your professors, what is there to do? Tons! The Health and Wellness Centre frequently hosts activities to de-stress through art. If you are more into athletics, then fear not, because every registered UTSC student has access to the Pan Am Centre. Pan Am has all the equipment one might need for exercise, as well as wonderful facilities like pools and a rock climbing wall. It also hosts interesting classes and activities, including archery, which comes highly recommended. I would also recommend taking a walk around the Miller Lash House and the surrounding areas. It is very picturesque, and the gardens are always well-tended. The open fields surrounded by the forests in the valley are an appealing place to picnic. Two spots that I believe deserve more appreciation are the two galleries on campus: Gallery 1265, a studentoperated contemporary art gallery, and the Doris McCarthy Gallery, a professional public art gallery of contemporary Canadian artists. Students seem to labour under the misconception that they are not welcome, or have ‘better things to do’ than slow down and visit the historic house or galleries. I reject this! These are wonderful opportunities to explore representations of our campus’s stories, past, and present, which should not be missed. Of course, no description of UTSC is complete without discussing the immense privilege of having the Highland Creek run through the southern end of campus. Escape the stress of your studies by following the Ma Moosh Ka Win Trail, which begins behind the Humanities Wing. Leave your scholastic anxieties to the lush canopies or babbling creek, which are always happy to lend a sprig. Walk all the way to Lake Ontario and relax by counting all the shades of blue in the sky and water. And I hear there are swans? You should go find out! After returning from a hike, one of my favourite views is looking up at the Andrews Building as it looms over the valley. The concrete pillars that make up the Andrews’ stern face against the gentle slopes of the valley tell a story about our school and its people. We come to U of T with ambitions that will long loom over our scholastic journey. But in my view, campus is not just a backdrop for your story. Like the structure of our campus itself, your university journey can only be complete once you shake off your alienation from the land. Temper your ambitions with a love of community and the natural world — that is what I believe UTSC offers.

Handbook 2026

Field

guide

U T S C Illustration | Chloe Weston

Hunter Derr-Braun | Writer

2026

FIELD GUIDE TO UTM

Field

guide

U T M Illustration | Chloe Weston

Arunveer Sidhu | Writer

Handbook 2026

So… you’ve been admitted to UTM. Despite the posh students from UTSG assuming you were rejected from their campus, you know that you chose to come to UTM. If it was your choice, that is… just kidding! Mostly. While they stare at rodent-infested streets and traverse century-old asbestos-ridden buildings, you get to experience nature in its purest form. Nature — does it live up to the hype? It does indeed, and then some. The view of the campus during snowy winter nights is indescribable. Just imagine, you’re walking through campus on a cold winter evening, tears crystallizing while streaming down your cheeks, when all of a sudden, a deer runs across the path and begins sipping on some leftover Iced Capp in the snow. Absolutely beautiful. If it’s snowing, be sure to run down to what I like to call UTM’s ‘Central Park’ area — the green space surrounded by several buildings like Deerfield Hall (DH) and Maanjiwe nendamowinan (MN) — before going home at the end of the day. Simply standing there and looking around at the warmly lit buildings, ice droplets, and snow-sparkled trees will make you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland. In Canada, we’re only blessed with four or five months of summer-like weather. Unfortunately, this is outside the regular academic year. Nonetheless, do take the time to explore the nature trails, including Erindale Park or even the trail down Principal’s Road, where you can find the infamous ‘hidden’ pond and stone arch bridge. Be sure to do this sometime soon, this might be the only warm month of the academic year…

your first term at UTM. Many deer cross the path between Central Park and Erindale Hall during the year, so wander down when coming from DH or MN. Deer can also be spotted at other areas around campus that connect to the Erindale forest, so going on walks outside is your best bet to spot them! Campus buildings — yay or nay? If you saw a student fall to their knees and pray for salvation at your local Walmart, chances are that their timetable was published and they have a class in room 1080 of the Communication, Culture, and Technology Building (CC), or as referred to on timetables, CC1080. Despite being one of the largest lecture halls on campus, prepare to be tightly packed, shoulder-to-shoulder and elbow-to-elbow, while struggling to find space to breathe.

Spotting the deer “OH NO, NOT THE BEES DEER!” — something you’ll never hear a UTM student say, ever, like not even once. Chances are you’ll spot a deer within

The pop-out tray is barely the size of a laptop, making the arrangement feel like you’re sitting in a baby’s high chair — the only thing you’re missing is a bib. I salute anyone and everyone who endures writing a test in that room. I’ve now written multiple exams there, and it’s always a chore. Many popular first-year classes have lectures in CC1080, so get ready for a whole year of bumping shoulders with your classmates. Upper year courses are in the more luxurious and spacious classrooms, so just sit tight until then. The lecture halls in Davis are a slight step-up, but still not the best. Instead, that would be the lecture halls in MN and the Instructional Building (IB) — if your timetable shows one of these buildings, you’ve hit the jackpot!

Best spots to chill or study The best spots on campus depend on whether you want to chill and hang out with friends or study. If you want to chill, the best spots are: the Davis Food Court, Kaneff Center, Student Centre, first floor of the library, and central atrium of MN — especially the wooden staircases. The best spots to study are any silent study space in the library, which are usually any floor other than the first floor, the Davis food court quiet dining room, and my personal favourite, any empty classroom in IB, MN, or DH. It may seem illegal, but if a room is empty, it’s your moral obligation to fill it and make it your own. Lastly, be sure to use UTM’s online portal for booking study rooms. Most of the time, you can occupy one if it’s empty, but be prepared to be kicked out if the student who booked it “books” you. Looking to party? U of T isn’t a party school, and UTM even less so. However, do keep an eye on all the clubs across campus and frequent the Student Centre, since there are pub nights and various other galas hosted throughout the year. Finding community The most important reason to attend UTM, which isn’t often stated, is the community-based environment. Unlike UTSG and other overly populated university campuses, you’ll see a lot of familiar faces throughout your years at UTM. Not only does this mean it’ll be easy to make friends, but it’s a good place to network. I know most of us are introverts, but once you leave your comfort zone and approach others, it’ll be easy! Professors are also very approachable, even in classes of 500 first years. Always take the opportunity to ask questions, attend office hours, or just have a chat with your profs! 2026

PAYING HEFTY TUITION BUT STILL GOING HUNGRY

Paying hefty tuition but still going hungry A guide to Toronto food banks ANU NAGENDRAN | WRITER LOBAMITHIRA RATNESH | PHOTOGRAPHER

As I was writing this article, Food Banks Canada released its annual poverty report card, and the data looks bleak. Ontario received a F grade for its food insecurity rate, the same as last year. We all know of someone who is facing food insecurity — or perhaps you are that someone. Here are some resources you can access as a U of T student. Student food banks All three campuses have food banks run by a student union that can be accessed by their students. For example, if you are a St. George student, you can access the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) Food Bank, while students at other campuses can access the Scarborough Students’ Union Food Centre and Mississauga Students’ Union Food Centre. I currently volunteer at the UTSU’s Food Bank in room 136 of the Student Commons, so I can tell you first-hand how to access the food bank.

Registration for the weekly pickup times opens at 9:30 am on the Wednesday before the service. To register, you will first need to create a Daily Bread account to get your Client ID number. When you fill out the registration form, let us know about any dietary restrictions so we can accommodate you. If you forget to register or if appointment slots are filled up, you can contact services@utsu.ca. Food pick-up slots are between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm every Friday. The easiest Student Commons entrance is from Huron Street. At your appointment time, bring your TCard for identification and check-in. If you are a firsttime user, we will have to see your ACORN. Also, be sure to bring reusable grocery bags. If you are running late, let us know by emailing services@utsu.ca. What is available at the food bank? Vegetables vary every week, but the usual options are onions, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, bell peppers, and squash. We also have bananas and canned fruit. I find that people stay away from new vegetables. Once, we had rutabagas, and they created such a buzz. Not many people knew how to cook them, so they opted out. My tip is to try new things we have at the food bank — you can always find tasty recipes online. The carbohydrate options are often bread, naan, oats, rice, and pasta. For protein, we have eggs, milk, yogurt, fish, chicken, deli meat, and turkey, to name a few — halal is also available. A lot of people opt for canned beans and leave out dried beans and lentils. Therefore, we have a lot in stock. If you can carve out 45 minutes to cook dried beans and lentils, you will have a protein source for the week. We carry tampons and pads as well. We also have a lot of snacks — take as many as you want. I mean it literally! Take them! Know the difference between best before date and expiry date. The dates on packaging do not have to do with safety, so look out for other signs of food safety. Other Toronto food banks You can access 211 Ontario for more food bank resources, but here is a condensed list of some nearby food banks in Toronto: Community

Fridges Toronto, Scott Mission Food Bank, Fort York Food Bank, and Lighthouse Food Bank. Many food banks around the city are supported through the Daily Bread network, including the ones on campus. If you volunteer for a day at Daily Bread’s distribution warehouse or production hall, you can get free lunch! Attend Student Life events Most events hosted on campus offer free food. As a U of T student, you will receive a weekly newsletter of all events happening for the week, and the event page will say whether free food is available. They also allow you to take food home, so bring a takeout box.

Keep an eye out when visiting the various student centres or lounges around campuses, that’s where most events will take place. Some of the events with food I have attended include the Lunch and Learn Intercultural Learning Program, International Student Discovery Support Groups, and Build-ABowl at St. Michael’s College. Speak with the university Having to go hungry while carrying through lectures is burdensome. If you feel that this is impacting your academics, contact your registrar and professors. Let them know your situation, so they are aware and can offer help. If you ever feel the need to talk to a counsellor or a nutritionist, you can book an appointment through Health and Wellness by calling them at (416) 978-8030. I find myself in a place where I don’t know how to end this article. This issue is so salient that nothing I write could ease your distress. I have nothing to write other than to say that no one should go hungry, including you.

Handbook 2026

E M O C J-OIN ! Y P O C

(WE DON’T BITE, WE PROMISE!)

& UL X- SA NYAL RA IN A PR O D | W RI TE RS EA DH O O CATE W WAB I | EE M AA N NA TO R IL LU ST RA

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WE ASK CAMPUS VIPS THE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

President Melanie Woodin Horoscope: Virgo Music on repeat: “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac. I’ve had this song on repeat for a few decades now. Favourite part of campus: Front Campus. My office overlooks this beautiful green space and I love seeing students playing ball, watching sports on the big screen or simply strolling with one another. One thing you wish you knew at 18: You don’t have to have it all figured out. Be good to yourself and enjoy the here and now. Something you’re tired of: Inauthenticity A cause that is important to you: Student wellbeing Goal for the upcoming year: To try more food offerings across our three campuses. I normally bring my own lunch, but I’m keen to sample what our food services have to offer. Present state of mind: I started undergrad at U of T in 1991. While that was 35 years ago, it feels like yesterday. And every one of those years I have the same nervous excitement about what another academic year has in store for me. I also love sweater weather! Provost Trevor Young Horoscope: Sagittarius Music on repeat: “’Round Midnight” by Miles Davis Favourite part of campus: Hart House. I always feel welcome there. One thing you wish you knew at 18: Take your time and explore all options. Something you’re tired of: Doom and gloom media stories about our amazing country. A cause that is important to you: Student mental health. Goal for the upcoming year: Dream bigger than last year. It’s amazing what we can do at U of T. Present state of mind: Energized. Vice-Provost Academic Programs Nicholas Rule Horoscope: I have no idea. Music on repeat: This is embarrassing for me, but I’ve started to avoid listening to music because I get songs stuck in my head easily. Favourite part of campus: King’s College Park (a.k.a. King’s College Circle or Front Campus) One thing you wish you knew at 18: The future can be as bright as you choose to make it. 26

Something you’re tired of: Reasons for why things won’t work instead of ways that maybe they can. A cause that is important to you: Space exploration. Goal for the upcoming year: To help the people around me see their own potential. Present state of mind: Joyful Vice-Provost Students Sandy Welsh Horoscope: Aquarius Music on repeat: “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman. I’ve loved it since it came out in 1988. Favourite part of campus: The bamboo garden inside the Terrence Donnelly Centre, for rainy or snowy days. One thing you wish you knew at 18: Don’t be afraid to have something go wrong or to fail at something. It’s how you get through it that really matters. Then when other hard things come along, you know that you can get through them too. Something you’re tired of: The feeling that AI is going to take over. I prefer to think of it as something that can augment what people do, as long as we use it thoughtfully and keep people at the centre. A cause that is important to you: I care about the student experience to ensure we meet their needs and foster connections with each other and the community to offer a more holistic university experience. Goal for the upcoming year: Continue to connect with as many students and staff as I can, so I know what challenges they are facing and how we can best support their goals and enhance student life and experiences. Present state of mind: It’s a fresh start to the academic year; it’s what I love about working at a university. Every September it’s an opportunity to build on what I’ve done or learned the previous year and try something new. UTSC Principal Linda Johnston Horoscope: Taurus Music on repeat: “Back in Black” by AC/ DC Favourite part of campus: Ma Moosh Ka Win Valley Trail One thing you wish you knew at 18: That I would find my path at some point and not to worry about how long it might take me. Something you’re tired of: Pretending something is fine when it isn’t. A cause that is important to you: A culture of care on our UTSC campus. Goal for the upcoming year: To be more patient.

Present state of mind: Enthusiastic about the new students who are coming to our campus and showing them the wonderful UTSC community they are joining. UTM Principal Alexandra Gillespie Horoscope: Cancer Music on repeat: I am travelling for work as I respond to this, so a lot of Bach “Suite No. 1 in G major” (Yo-Yo Ma’s 1983 recording) because it’s perfect for airports. Favourite part of campus: The UTM Nature Trail One thing you wish you knew at 18: You are stronger than you think. Something you’re tired of: The AI slop in my feed. A cause that is important to you: Truth and Reconciliation. Goal for the upcoming year: I really want to be able to do 10 push-ups, perfect form, in a row. I can do six, but then my form collapses. Surely, I can get to 10. Can I report back at the end of the year? That would be so motivating. Present state of mind: Gratitude. I love my job. Marie Kinderman, President of the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) Horoscope: Leo :) Music on repeat: “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan! Favourite part of campus: The arched pathway on the south side of Wycliffe College and north of Hart House. One thing you wish you knew at 18: When you try new things and follow your heart, you learn more and live louder, even when the path is unpredictable. Something you’re tired of: Labubus! A cause that is important to you: Reusable systems and food containers! Goal for the upcoming year: To consistently fight for the student community and to include them directly in meaningful work. Present state of mind: Evening is my state of mind. Adam El-Falou, President of the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) Horoscope: [did not answer] Music on repeat: Halo 2 Menu Theme Favourite part of campus: The Blind Duck Pool Tables One thing you wish you knew at 18: Always ask more questions, that’s how you’ll get yourself out there.

Handbook 2026

We ask Campus VIPs the important questions Illustration | Parwin Rafie Something you’re tired of: Commuting for an hour every day (smh) A cause that is important to you: The liberation of the Palestinian people and every oppressed community. Goal for the upcoming year: For every student in UTM to understand the significance of their role in the wider student movement. Present state of mind: I’m feeling ambitious. Kai Sealy, President of the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) Horoscope: Virgo! (September 3rd) Music on repeat: Genre: Dancehall, Songs: “Aura Salad” by Mavo, “Went Queenshit” by Queen Key, and “Tea Tea” by Mastaa T. Favourite part of campus: Hart House (UTSG) and at UTSC Bladen Wing Study Lounge, probably just to go to IA to get an iced chai LOL. One thing you wish you knew at 18: I wish I knew how little I actually knew. Serious answer, I wish I started saving LOL. Something you’re tired of: Fighting. For basic rights. A cause that is important to you: Food security and period equity Goal for the upcoming year: Tackle the student affordability crisis and put money and value back into the lives and pockets of our members. Grow the grants, more TTC tickets and a period equity initiative at my local. Present state of mind: I’m happy. Tired, but grateful. Very whimsical girly.

Dianne Acuna, President of the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS) Horoscope: Capricorn Music on repeat: A cover of “Let Me Love You” by Paradi$e. Favourite part of campus: I don’t think I have a favourite part of campus. There’s a lot I haven’t fully explored. What I will say is that I love going to different libraries and wandering around the nature trails that mix in and out of different areas on campus. One thing you wish you knew at 18: I wish I had known that part-time school was an option sooner and that it’s okay if you don’t have it all mapped out. At 18, you’re only starting to experience the world. There is so much life to explore, and you can follow the path you set for yourself. You don’t have to follow life in the stages that society has placed on people. If you do have it mapped out, that’s okay too, but leave room to be flexible. Life isn’t linear, and you can and should go at whatever pace feels best to you. Just keep going at it. Something you’re tired of: I’m tired of seeing all the conflict in the world. At times, it feels never-ending, but I try to remind myself that change or progress for any cause takes time. Even if we take five steps back and one step forward, we are still moving forward. Even though it isn’t perfect, the focus and inspiration should be on the fact that things have changed in the past and still are. A cause that is important to you: It’s difficult to say just one cause because many of the issues we are seeing and experiencing are not separate from each other; they are all interconnected. If I had to

narrow it down, one of the main things that I am concerned about is environmental issues. Even that, on its own, is vague and encompasses a wide variety of issues. Looking at environmental instability alone, there are connections that tie in to political issues, inequality, displacement of people, and habitat destruction on a global scale to right here at home on a provincial level. It’s really a never-ending cause which affects us all. Goal for the upcoming year: I really want to connect more with part-time students. We are a community of students scattered throughout the university. From personal experience, it can feel isolating because of responsibilities that can make it hard to participate in school life activities, among other things. Even if it’s a small step, the goal is to find ways to connect part-time students more and create that sense of community. Present state of mind: Trying to simply live life, really live it and do things I’m scared of and out of my comfort zone. What I do is nothing spectacular, but small little changes here and there. Becoming more vocal on things I care about, being a part of a student union (APUS), making new connections and of course enjoying the good moments, both big and small. Whether that is reconnecting with family, going to a concert with friends, or simply enjoying the sun on my face. These are all worth enjoying. Of course, struggles and obstacles are always going to happen in between, but even then I can appreciate it because it gives me a better understanding of how I’m growing, what I’m capable of, and who I want to become.

2026

FARE EVASION

F A R E EVASION A GUIDE TO THE T T C

Writer | Julianne Wisner Photography | Brennan Karunaratne 28

Handbook 2026

You’ve arrived in Ontario. You have an embarrassingly large suitcase and a couple of awkward backpacks that you now need to figure out how to get from Pearson to St. George. You might also be coming from Mississauga. Same difference. Either way, you now need to adapt to Toronto’s public transit system. Here is everything you need to know about navigating the TTC. The basics For a quick intro, the TTC is composed of three types of transportation systems: subway/light rail transit (LRT) lines, streetcars, and buses. Their reliability is in that specific order. To actually use the TTC, you’ll need to tap on with a transit pass or PRESTO card. You can get these for $4.00 at any subway station or at Shoppers Drug Mart. The typical adult fare is $3.30 for a two-hour ride with a PRESTO card. If you’re under 19, you can get a youth pass for $2.35. You can also pay with your debit, credit, or Apple Pay, but you will be charged an adult fare. And, luckily for you, the new fare capping system begins this September. After 47 paid trips in a month, the TTC won’t charge you for any more taps. To check the timing for a specific streetcar or bus route, stick to the TTC website, or text your stop number to 898-882. Transit tracking apps for buses and streetcars are fairly unreliable. Subway lines Subways are the fastest way to get around the city. There are two major lines: Line 1, Yonge–University, and Line 2, Bloor–Danforth. Line 1 can help take you north to south, while Line 2 can help you get from east to west. Keep in mind that Line 1 forms a loop through south Toronto. You’ll have to be mindful of direction, north or south, and the route, Yonge or University. Other lines include Line 4, Sheppard, which is the shortest line and located in North York, and Line 3, which is long gone… My condolences to everyone at UTSC. You may also see Lines 5, Eglinton, and 6, Finch West.

These are not subways! These are glorified streetcars (we’ll get to those in a second), otherwise known as the LRTs. Unless you’re going outside of the downtown core, you’ll seldom be using the LRTs. However, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to bond with someone who grew up along Eglinton, bitch to them about how long it took to build Line 5 — you’ll gain a friend for life. The stations at the St. George campus are Spadina (Lines 1 and 2), St. George (Lines 1 and 2), Queen’s Park (Line 1), and Museum (Line 1). Some highlights of the subway include the murals at Dupont station, the Cinnabon at Eglinton station, and, of course, the view of the Don Valley Parkway between Castle Frank and Broadview. Some lowlights include TMU Station during rush hour, the Spadina connection tunnel past 10:30 pm, and Dufferin Station, anytime ever. Buses The TTC’s bus system is fairly extensive and stretches from major roads with priority lanes to quaint, residential areas. With over 167 routes, even the most experienced Toronto locals may not know how to navigate buses by memory. When planning out your route, stick to Google Maps. That being said, one thing to keep in mind is the stop-request system. This is where the passenger notifies the driver of an upcoming drop-off by pressing one of the buttons located along the vehicle. Unlike subways, they will not automatically pull up to each stop on the route, so be sure to know and alert where you need to get off. Streetcars Streetcars are one of the great Toronto landmarks, outranked only by the CN Tower, Kensington Market, and the McDonald’s at Queen and Spadina. There are 11 unique streetcar routes, with almost all of them stretching across the principal roads in south Toronto, such as Dundas, Queen, King, and more. They also employ the same stoprequest system as buses.

Unfortunately, streetcars are notoriously slow. If the tracker is saying that it is going to take more than five minutes to arrive, and you can’t see the streetcar on the horizon, start walking, buddy. That thing is not coming. Also, if your streetcar has taken more than 20 minutes, I’m 97 per cent sure that you’re allowed to evade the fare. Outer-city transit If you ever find yourself visiting the suburbs of Toronto, you may need to use GO Transit. Unlike the TTC, where you pay $3.30 for two hours, this is charged based on how many stops you take. Tap on and please remember to tap off. Otherwise, they will charge you for the full round trip. UP Express can also take you directly from Pearson Airport — embarrassing bags and all — straight to downtown Toronto. Some other GTA transit systems are York Region Transit, MiWay, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, Oakville Transit, Burlington Transit, Milton Transit, and Hamilton Street Railway. Transit etiquette Lastly, before you go off into the bowels of the TTC and enjoy your first year, here are a few things to keep in mind: • Unless you have somewhere really important to be and you’re already running late, try not to chase after a bus. Test out how much pride you really have. • While waiting to get on, stand to the side of the door and let people off. • If you’re getting on a bus and it’s not dead empty, move to the back. Avoid clogging up the front. • If it’s busy, put your backpack on the floor between your legs. Or BabyBjörn it. Up to you. • If it’s rush hour and you’re standing near an entry door, get off and then get back on. • Deodorant — selfexplanatory. • When getting off the bus, thank your driver. I don’t care if your bus was 10 minutes late, thank your driver. 2026

NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE

ERIKA OZOLS

DUPONT

The orange walls that transformed my Toronto Aksaamai Ormonbekova When I moved to Toronto, everyone told me to go to Ossington. It definitely has some bangin’ spots to eat and shop, but it’s not as dope as Dupont. I first came to Dupont on a random visit to a friend who worked as a barista at Ezra’s Pound, a local coffee shop that’s a speedy two-minute walk from Dupont Station. Getting out of the TTC, which I usually find quite unromantic, my sight immediately landed on the beautiful orange interior with floral murals in the station. Honestly, the station itself is a sight to visit. Coffee shop chatter, townhouses surrounded by flowery trees, and shops you won’t see in Eaton Centre are in abundance in this neighbourhood, and so is the feeling that you’re very unlikely to find downtown: peace. I say this gently, but please venture out of Ossington and give Dupont some love.

YONGE & EGLINTON

Favourites from an uptown girl Chloe Weston Yonge & Eglinton is wonderfully balanced. Between the hectic, non-stop energy of downtown and the peaceful charm of tree-lined residential streets, it’s a neighbourhood where everything feels close at hand. Exploring Yonge St., you’ll come across a lovely mix of cafes, restaurants, bakeries, bars and florists, with some cool bookstores nuzzled in between, all just minutes apart. If you’re like me and love nothing or anybody more than a bargain, BMV Books is a must-visit. The Yonge & Eglinton location is the second branch of the store which first opened in 1998, and remains a landmark for anyone interested in high-quality, second-hand books. However, books won’t turn everyone on. If you find joy in the outdoors, the Beltline Trail is perfect for cycling, running, or walking. Just south of Eglinton, it’s a nine kilometre strip of fresh air winding through the city — a green and restorative escape from typical urban landscapes.

CHLOE WESTON

Handbook 2026

KENSINGTON MARKET

The city inside the city Junia Alsinawi Kensington is like a city exploded into being within a few blocks, and this impression grows even stronger on the weekends. The streets are taken over by pedestrians, music can always be heard, and everything and everyone you see is vibrant and beautiful. Kensington has a real sense of community — people take care of their home and each other. It captures the spirit of Toronto more than anywhere else in the city. There’s so much going on that it’s one of the few times when going in without a plan will serve you well. I’ve been here for months and I still discover something new every time I step outside, whether it’s a pop-up Jamaican beef patty stand, a colourful mural, or a new psychic on the block. If you’re looking to rent in Kensington, you’re in for a treat. Anywhere in Kensington is a two minute walk from a fruit market, a hatter, a Tibetan cafe and bar, and a sex shop. Even if you’re not ready to commit to living in a basement with three roommates (yet), you should absolutely make the 15 minute walk from campus and explore this historic neighbourhood. Good things really do come to those who endure their questionable renting choices!

ERIKA OZOLS ERIKA OZOLS

LITTLE ITALY

It’ll find you when you need it Brennan Karunaratne

ERIKA OZOLS ERIKA OZOLS

Honestly, when I first moved to Little Italy, it was with doubt and regret. I had lost my first apartment and just about all of my savings, so I was just about ready to move anywhere that would take me — and damn, am I glad it ended up being Little Italy. Bright and sunny roads lined with stores and original facades give way to quiet, semi-suburban streets bursting with massive trees. The city proper was a different creature, sure, but it never felt far away. I only had a year there. The summer was spent boarding around and reading in the parks, and the winter huddling under the backyard porch roof, watching snow fall over a hazy skyline as frozen fingers struggled with a lighter. And of course, regardless of the season, bodies crowded the sidewalks every night outside bars and clubs alike. Somehow both quaint and so alive, Little Italy is in a league of its own. Needless to say, even if I don’t live there anymore, I’ll definitely still be visiting — especially in the summer. 2026

PROGRAM ADS

PROGRAM: PROGRAM: Visual Studies Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity Aksaamai Ormonbekova

I am very passionate about visual arts, but most schools I applied to offered nothing artsy or, when they did, they were very watered down, with a limited number of visual studies classes. U of T was not like these other schools; I was able to apply to both the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design — or more colloquially, Daniels. The Visual Studies program at Daniels is where I am pursuing my minor and it offers a range of courses that explore practices such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and writing — including colour theory and artist statement writing. It is taught by experts in the field: painters, graphic designers, sculptors — you name it. It is genuinely a haven for art on campus. I have been taught by incredible instructors and am continuously inspired by the creative minds of my fellow VIS kids. I consider myself incredibly lucky to continue practicing my love for art, and I implore you to register for a minor, major, or even a specialist in the program if you want to incorporate art into your life while pursuing another degree! BEST COURSE: VIS220: Painting and the Subject BEST PROF: Ella Gonzales

PROGRAM: Art History Simona Agostino It’s the perfect marrying of visual arts and history — if you like both of these things, you’ll love the Art History program (duh...). The program is full of super chill, welcoming, and altogether really awesome people! You’ll learn so much about all kinds of history through the visual and material culture of different places and times; it’s an absolute blast.

Erika Ozols When I came to U of T, I originally planned to be a cinema studies major and begin my career in film. What manifested instead was a four-year journey advancing my real passion for social justice and human rights advocacy. I took Introduction to Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity (CSES), and instantly knew it was my calling. CSES is a multidisciplinary program rooted in anticolonial thought, solidarity and the power of resistance. Through the program, I developed knowledge and community organization skills, which helped me better understand social inequity at both local and transnational levels. At an institution like U of T, which is rooted in colonial pedagogies, programs like CSES are more important now than ever. The CSES program gave me the tools to understand that the world around me and our liberations are tied together. The only way we can fix this mess is by practicing active solidarity, because in union, there is always strength. BEST COURSE: CSE342: Food Praxis and Sovereignty. Chris Ramsaroop was a huge inspiration of mine in getting more involved in migrant worker justice and learning more about food sovereignty and Caribbean/African/Indigenous foodways. BEST PROF: Anne McGuire (Disability Studies) and Chris Ramsaroop (Food Studies).

BEST COURSE: I really enjoyed FAH207: Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology with Matt Coleman, and FAH348: The Dada and Surrealist Tradition with Elizabeth Legge! BEST PROF: Elizabeth Legge is awesome. Her lectures are always fun and super insightful.

ERIKA OZOLS | PHOTOGRAPHY 32

Handbook 2026

PROGRAM: Writing & Rhetoric

PROGRAM: Human Biology

Ella MacCormack

Kayra Naz Ustabasi

Don’t be pretentious and take Book and Media Studies or Creative Writing; take Writing and Rhetoric! It looks a bit more professional on a resume, if nothing else. There are no mandatory courses, so you can decide exactly what you want your timetable to look like. This program focuses on hands-on learning from professionals in the field. You will not just read short stories or literary journalism; you will have to write them yourself. You can also learn real skills like copy editing or business communication — I once had a midterm exclusively on writing emails. Did I mention it was an open enrolment program? I don’t think I need to write anything else…

The Human Biology (HMB) program is perfect for students who want flexibility, hands-on research experience, and a strong preparation pathway for future healthcare careers. For the folks on the pre-med and predent track, or those pairing it with another major like psychology or physiology, the HMB program allows you to explore the science behind health and build interdisciplinary skills at the same time. Within the program, you are surrounded by supportive professors, engaging research opportunities, and a community that wants you to succeed. There is also a great student union team that organizes amazing events throughout the year, which makes learning and networking incredibly fun!

BEST COURSE: WRR310: Stylistic Editing and Copy Editing and WRR316: Developmental and Substantive Editing BEST PROF: Simon Lewsen

BEST COURSE: BIO120: Adaptation and Biodiversity BEST PROF: Haley Zubyk

PROGRAM: History and Philosophy of Science and Technology Lauren Robinson What kind of scientist doesn’t see themselves in a lab? Well, I couldn’t. After completing far too many threehour labs, I decided that learning in a lab coat wasn’t for me. My Life Sciences degree taught me that science is how we understand the world — but understanding science? That can only happen through history and philosophy. For those interested in the practice of dissecting and investigating the past without standing under a fume hood, this could be the program for you. The History and Philosophy of Science and Technology program will teach you how to think beyond the textbook and ultimately be a better scientist. BEST COURSE: HPS255: History and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence BEST PROF: Cory Lewis

2026

FROSH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frosh frequently asked questions

Our finest answer your burning questions about first year I haven’t made any friends yet, and it seems like everyone has already formed their groups. Did I miss out? Ella MacCormack, Features Editor: Everyone is in the same exact position you are right now, I promise. Everyone is looking around sheepishly, waiting for someone else to come up and initiate some conversation. Don’t spend all of your first year thinking you already missed your opportunity. Sure, the best time to start is yesterday, but the second best is right now. Alec Zelek, Associate Features Editor: Yes. You absolutely have. You should spend the next 24 months obsessing over the group you’re most jealous of and devising devious ploys to get in with them through ‘chance’ meetings. Brennan Karunaratne, Creative Director: It’s like hunting. Choose your prey (someone you think is cool) and strike (talk to them). Also, join a club or casual sport, since most tend to have club outings where you can socialize. I got my first assignment back, and it was the worst grade I’ve ever received in my life. Should I drop out now? Raina Proulx-Sanyal, Senior Copy Editor: There are always ways to improve, study, and get better, but hard grading is also a reality of U of T — and university in general. Getting bad grades is a tough but real part of going to university, but it is important not to let it discourage you. Let them motivate you to do better in the future. EM: I think courses do this by design, and try to scare first years straight with the early assignments. You will get better with time and work. That said, I did drop out of MAT137 back in first year after getting some scary grades, so I would actually highly, highly recommend dropping out… of a bad course. There is no way I can hand in this assignment due tomorrow on time. How do I tell my prof? EM: If there is an automatic late penalty, I’d say let sleeping dogs lie and just take the hit. If you really need to tell them, I’d say lean into being pitiful. Send that email at 3:00 am — no, 4:00 am. Also, try emailing your teaching assistant (TA) instead, if possible. They are dealing with the same shit as you are right now and might be more sympathetic, and in first-year courses, your TA is probably the person grading it anyway. Should I go to orientation? RPS: If you are new to Toronto, orientation 34

is a good way to get a feel for the campus and meet some new people. Orientation leaders are usually older students who are happy to impart their knowledge and wisdom, so if you want to get some tips on navigating your college or program, it is a great place to start. That being said, nothing earth-shattering happens there, and you can always learn through firsthand experience. BK: Well, they do have free food there. I have back-to-back classes on opposite sides of campus. How is it possible to get to them on time? EM: Underground steam tunnels. RPS: There isn’t. Run. But really, if it’s a small class and you are worried about your prof noticing constant tardiness, just talk to them and let them know. They are on this campus as much as you, and chances are they will be sympathetic to your daily trek. BK: Learn to bike. Also, learn to bike while openly carrying a brick. Which should I prioritize before an exam, sleeping or studying? EM: Sleep, any day of the week. Without sleep, you’ll have a tough time answering the questions you knew even before you started studying. It’s like a payday loan; avoid it unless you want to go into brain debt. AZ: I concur. Sleep every day of the week, in fact. BK: Conversely, fail to sleep for a week straight and you’ll never need to study again. I swear my TA hates me and is grading my assignments unfairly. What should I do? EM: Good news, there is a built-in process you can use to escalate the situation! You can keep escalating even past the prof by contacting your registrar. I will say though, you should take a look inward and reflect on whether your TA is full of hatred orrrr if you are just having a hard time taking criticism. How bad is it to skip class? EM: Very bad; it’s like the first sin of students. Don’t bite that apple — though I can tell you from experience, it is delicious. BK: I dunno if it’s bad or not, but don’t skip class after becoming friends with your prof — they’ll ask you about it in front of the class, and you’ll feel very bad for it as you try to make an appropriate excuse. Do I actually need to do the readings? Cate Woodhead, Deputy Senior Copy Editor: Ok, you don’t NEED to do anything, but unfortunately it is worthwhile to do your readings. I know, I know, I’m sorryyyyyy!! You’re going to hear it a million times from your TAs and profs, and you probably won’t listen to any of us. Are readings boring and tedious? Yes. Will you want to be on Instagram Reels the entire time? Definitely! But being able to contribute to class discussions (meaningfully or not) or nail

that niche exam question that r/UofT won’t stop bitching about makes it all worth it. EM: Boring answer, but it depends on the class. Profs have different expectations, so find that out early on and adjust your habits accordingly. For social sciences, you’ll usually be able to get away with reading the abstract and intro, skimming the middle, and then doing a close reading of the discussion and conclusion. Something is better than nothing, so at the very least try to open the readings once. Should I rush a fraternity or sorority? EM: I don’t know if here at The Varsity is the best place to ask; we’ve already joined our own version of a cult. Seriously, though, unless you want to be stuck paying your membership dues each year and getting penalized for missing Maddy Monday, I wouldn’t pledge. AZ: Both. Either. Gender is a construct anyway. If your Greek life house of choice doesn’t respect your performance of that, for which there is no authentic original — they weren’t woke enough for you anyway. I’m not 19 yet, and I feel like I’m barred from all of the fun parts of the city. What can I do in the city that doesn’t require getting ID’d at the door? AZ: Find of-age friends who’ll buy booze for you at their places. Easier said than done. My personal strategy is to show up to extracurriculars and sit silently to the point that you start engendering concern for your well-being, then to parlay that into lasting connections. BK: Redefine what the ‘fun parts’ of the city are. There’s no age requirement for urban exploration. I’m a commuter student, and I feel like I’m missing out. How can I connect with other students on campus? AZ: “You’re ‘missing out?’ / Well, if you say so / Then you’re missing out” — Josh Homme, Queens of the Stone Age No, but real talk, I commuted in first year as well. The reality is that you do lose out on certain aspects of the on-campus dorm community, but some colleges, like Vic, host wonderful regular community activities for commuters! (And they mostly don’t check your actual college affiliation.) RPS: Living in the dorms comes with its fair share of ups, downs, and horror stories. As a first-year commuter, I felt a little left out, but I quickly made friends in classes and clubs. It takes a little more time, and you do have to go out of your way, but you can still build community and lasting friendships as a commuter — all without having shower shoes. How do I stop procrastinating? CW: Wow, okay, that’s honestly kind of a personal question, I can’t believe you would even ask me that… Can I get back to you later? Everyone seems like they actually belong here except me — what do I do? EM: You’re already here, so it doesn’t

Handbook 2026

PHOTOGRAPHY | ERIKA OZOLS

matter much beyond that. No need to spend any more time dwelling on it than you already have. BK: Do whatever you wanna do. Is the Maddy worth going to? RPS: My initial reaction is to say no. It’s overcrowded, the music is mid, and you’ll get lost at least five times. But at the same time, it is such a staple of U of T culture, with its backroomsesque layout and hordes of drunk 20-somethings. So if you want to be able to trade stories of the Maddy with your peers, or just enjoy the wildlife of drunk college students, it might be worth going once, just for the lore. AZ: I wouldn’t know. They carded me and turned me away the one time I tried going. Why are there so many squirrels on campus? How do I prevent them from stealing my lunch? EM: We all have to pay the tax. Why else do you think ACORN is called that? AZ: Trying to fight them is your first mistake. Resistance is futile. Join their cause and reap the benefits. On that note, anybody wanna come over for acorn pie and the left side of a half-eaten sandwich tonight? I’m planning out my degree, and I’m considering taking an extra year. Is it worth the time and money? BK: Chances are you’ll take an extra year anyway, to graduate in four makes for a tight schedule. If you think taking a fifth will make your life easier, even a little bit, I believe it’s worthwhile. EM: I would just try and be intentional about it. Trying to do a full course load and then dropping down halfway through a semester will cost you unnecessary money and stress, so be honest to yourself about what is feasible and healthy. What is the ideal number of courses to take in a semester? Is six too many to handle? AZ: Not really. Once you get used to it, you can start accommodating well over six at a time. One time, the entire offensive line room of the Varsity Blues started going dow — Oh, you were asking about courses. RPS: Ok, now I feel like a chud for answering this seriously… but really I think it depends. If most of your classes are not too demanding, a little bit of discipline can go a long way. If you stay organized and sacrifice a night out here and there, six is definitely doable. But if you have a class from hell or a few extracurriculars? Oh, brother, just go home. I want to write for The Varsity but I don’t have any experience. Is it worth trying to join? AZ: Yes!! One thousand per cent. The one thing you can’t teach in writing is passion. It’s our job to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, so just send in a draft written from the heart and we’ll do the rest! RPS: I’d argue that is the best time to join. The Varsity is a great place to learn about writing (Especially in copy editing!!! Guys, join copy editing, please.), design, and other aspects of publishing. We are always looking for passionate and creative people to join The Varsity. Mistakes will always be made, but that is what editing is for! That’s literally what my job is all about, so keep me employed! Everyone is still always learning; this is a great place to meet other writers and build those skills. 2026

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The Varsity Handbook has a circulation of 6,500 published by Varsity Publications Inc. on recycled newsprint stock. Content © 2026 by The Varsity. All rights reserved. Any editorial inquiries and/or letters should be directed to the Handbook Editor-in-Chief. The Varsity Handbook reserves the right to edit all submissions.